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Nissan GT-R preparing for Nurburgring 24 Hours
 
A few weeks ago, Nissan announced that the standard GT-R Club Track Edition would race the famous 24 Hours of Nurburgring in May 2012. Now, we have the first spy shots of the car as it takes a few spins on the famous German track. Guess Nissan will be keeping their promise. As you can see, the GT-R caught testing is slightly camouflaged, most likely hiding some larger air intakes. It also comes with a larger rear wing in order to provide an improved stability at high speeds. Nissan official stated that the GT-R will compete in the race in order to collect much-needed data and information on how to help improve Godzilla’s overall mechanics in the coming years. "Nissan will assess its endurance capability in the toughest environment (24 hour race) at the world’s toughest circuit (Nordschleife) against strong competitors-European sports/super car manufacturers’ factory racing cars," said Nissan in an official press release. We’ll have to check out the 24h of Nurburgring on May 17th-20th, 2012 to see if the GT-R has what it takes.
2012 Nissan GT-R by CoverEFX
The Nissan GT-R was officially unveiled back in 2008 and since then, the car has seen numerous updates. The original model came with a 485 HP V6 engine which was then updated to 530 before finally getting to 550 HP. These are certainly impressive numbers, but engines can always see an added boost thanks to tuners willing to put in some extra time. Mcchip-dkr and CoverEFX have developed a very impressive package for the Nissan GT-R that increases the total output to 596 HP and 553 lb-ft. of torque. In order to obtain the extra 46 HP, the tuners installed a new sports exhaust system and optimized the power software. Next to these updates, CoverEFX also added a a spectacular racing-style film-coating to match the dynamic body of the GT-R. The foil combines Cardinal Red, Raven Black, and Pina Colada White. The GT-R’s ride height was also lowered by 30 millimeters thanks to new lowering springs from H&R. However, the best accessory is the brunette they have posed with the Nissan GT-R. We have to wonder if she’s part of the package because they would definitely sell out quick!
Video: Nissan preparing GT-R Club Track Edition for 24 Hours of Nurburgring
Nissan is headed to the 2012 24 Hours of Nurburgring endurance race and they’re bringing Godzilla along to join in on all the fun. That’s right; the Japanese automaker will be fielding a Nissan GT-R Club Track Edition to compete in the 24 Hours of Nurburgring endurance race. According to Nissan, the standard production GT-R Club Track Edition is going to Nurburgring for a number of reasons, chief of which is their desire to collect much-needed data and information on how to help improve Godzilla’s overall mechanics in the coming years. In a field of heavily modded vehicles, the idea that Nissan will bring a fresh GT-R with no performance enhancements to compete against those guys raises more than just one curious eyebrow from us. But hey, we’re not about to disagree with them on this matter. So in that vein, allow us to direct you to this video Nissan has prepared as they make preparations for the street-ready GT-R to race one of the most grueling endurance races in the world. Video: Nissan GT-R Alpha Omega by AMS loses control at 233 mph
The land speed record for the GT-R was 218 mph, until AMS Performance decided to drag old Alpha Omega, the company’s monster GT-R, out to the Texas Mile to try to beat its own record. The first run the GT-R rolls up with 24.5 pounds of boost and a tarmac-punishing 1,050 horsepower at the wheels. This run came out okay, as the Alpha Omega GT-R broke its record, hitting 221 mph. Throw the shoot, load up the car and take it home, right? Nope, not the AMS guys. Apparently, 221 mph in a mile wasn’t good enough, so the AMS techs hopped back under the hood and cranked the boost to an insane 29.5 psi. This put the Nissan GT-R at an intense 1,250 wheel horsepower. After a mile the monster GT-R hits 233.1 and its driver Ivan reaches to pull the parachute. Obviously the GT-R didn’t like Ivan taking the credit, so after catching a dip in the runway, the rear of the GT-R lifts up and slings itself sideways, sending its pilot into a deadly 200+ mph slide. At that point we were thinking that a farewell story to this power GT-R was in order, but somehow Ivan manages to calmly keep this monster in check and keeps it from completely spinning out of control. We watched this video repeatedly looking for any sign of panic from the driver, but there was absolutely none. His eyes simply stayed focused, as he steered the 1,250 horsepower GT-R out of its slide. Hats off to the driver for keeping his cool and getting this car back under control. Check out the video and see if you could have kept your bowels, let alone the car, in check during the spinout. Video: Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 in Action
In January of this year, Nissan and JRM Racing entered the Nissan GT-R NISMO GT3 into the Dubai 24-hour endurance race. That was the first we heard about this beautiful hunk of machinery. Just a few months later, in preparation for the upcoming racing season, JRM is testing out this 523-horsepower racer. That’s not all JRM did… During the testing they filmed the GT-R NISMO GT3 whipping around the track and posted it for all to see. Now we no longer have to just drool over press photos and grainy, poorly shot videos of it racing this past season. Nope, now you get to see, hear, and almost feel this impressive collaboration of mechanics and art with the above video. In addition to the sights and sounds, JRM puts you right in the cockpit with the driver on several occasions. Nothing like the hum of a turbocharged 3.8-liter V-6 engine churning out 523 horsepower and 451 pound-feet of torque – 22 horsepower and 12 pound-feet shy of the production model – to get your blood flowing in the morning. Toss the Folgers coffee out and just watch this video three or four times, that’ll get you moving. Now, don’t go thinking that just because GT3 regulations end up decreasing the GT-R GT3’s power that your stock GT-R can run with this bad boy. You will be sadly mistaken, as JRM and Nissan shaved off over 1,000 pounds from the production model – a stock GT-R weighs 3,829 pounds and the GT-R NISMO GT3 weighs roughly 2,860 pounds. Other modifications to the GT3 version from the stock GT-R include heavy suspension tuning and deletion of the front-drive equipment, as required by GT3. Kick back, crank up your surround system, if you have one, and enjoy the refreshing melodies of the GT-R NISMO GT3 at play. Video: SP Engineering’s Nissan GT-R SPE 1000R hits the dyno
When you’re a high-profile tuner in the industry, you try to squeeze as much out of your programs to be able to say that you have one of the best in the biz. In the case of SP Engineering, that involves taking a Nissan GT-R and ratcheting it up to an ungodly 1,000 horsepower. In this video, you’re going to see what they do to a GT-R to ensure that it performs at optimum level, putting it up on the dyno to see just how strong and powerful Godzilla can be with the SPE 1000R program fitted into it. Coming from the guys that showed us their program for the Nissan Skyline R34 about a month ago, it’s pretty safe to say that their insatiable thirst for ponies - lots and lots of it - certainly knows no bounds. Check out the GT-R perform its dyno run in the video. Turn up the volume, close your eyes, and enjoy the shrill of what 1,000 horsepower does to Godzilla. After that check out the slew of performance upgrades available for the GTR from SP Engineering. They have five total, this SPE 1000R is the most powerful and is aptly named the Godzilla package.
Video: Nissan GT-R avoids disaster three times in a matter of seconds
We all understand the perils that come with engaging in something as dangerous as drag racing. But even if you’re pretty much risking life and limb at the thrill of the ride, a lot of people still strap on their seat belts to push the proverbial pedal to the metal. This video, however, illustrates just how quickly things can go wrong in a drag strip. A pair of Nissan GT-Rs were primed and ready for some racing action but shortly after the green light turned on, the driver of one of the GT-Rs immediately loses control of his car, sending it spinning out of control and barely avoiding the cement walls not once, not twice, but three times! Luckily, the driver managed to reign in his Godzilla before heading to the finish line with his car still intact and, more importantly, his body still in the right place. Here’s to hoping the driver is more careful next time around. 2012 Nissan GT-R "The Hulk" by Severn Valley Motorsport
Just when we thought we found our favorite customized GT-R in AMS Performance’s monster of a Nissan GT-R called the "Alpha Omega". Capable of blasting along a quarter mile in just 8.97 seconds with a ridiculous top speed of 216.9 mph, the Alpha Omega vaulted to the top of the list as far as most awesome GT-R’s are concerned. Well, now we have to reconsider because UK tuner Severn Valley Motorsport has released their own souped up GT-R, affectionately billed as "The Hulk." One monster GT-R deserves another monster GT-R. The Hulk, which has been painted in a metallic Imperial Green Pearlescent finish, also comes with plenty of aerodynamic carbon components, including the new front bumper, the GTC Carbon bonnet, carbon gas bonnet lifts, and a host of carbon items - the rear diffusers, side skirts, and rear arch extensions - from Wald International. The S2 Active split wing from Aeromotion was also fitted into the Hulk, as are carbon race mirrors mounted on pillars, carbon exhaust surround, front and rear side markers, LSD doors, L.E.D angle eye day light running lights, and a new set of 20" Volks Racing light weight wheels wrapped in Toyo R888 315/30/20 tires. Inside, the Hulk was treated to a full carbon interior package, Cobra front carbon ultra light race seats, Alcantara fabrics, a six-point roll cage that was custom built to SVM specs, and Takata four-point race harnesses. All that said, the real meal ticket of the Hulk is what lies under its hood. With an extensive performance upgrade that includes fitting their own 4.2-liter SVM HULK Spec Forged Blueprinted Unit, SVM was able to boost the street-legal GT-R’s output all the way up to 1,250 horsepower with a sick top speed of 218 mph, which by the way, is a new top speed record! The record was achieved at RAF Marham military base in Norfolk, UK and was confirmed by Racelogic Vbox data. Full specifications after the jump. Full story Reborn Renault Alpine could be based on the Nissan GT-R; debut expected to be in Paris
 Two interesting developments surrounding the expected revival of the Renault Alpine: First, it appears to be headed to the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Second, and more importantly, the car could very well end up being based on the Nissan GT-R. Talking to UK website Headline Auto, Renault Marketing Director Stephen Norman said that the new Alpine will be made as a lightweight sports car that puts the emphasis on top-class performance and "made to the highest specification." Moreover, Norman has admitted that the French automaker is looking at tapping into their partnership with Nissan to look for and use existing parts from Nissan. The only catch with going that route is the expected cost that would go with such an ambitious project. On that end, Renault might still end up seeking third-party partners to help in the development of the new Alpine. "We can’t lift things from the parts bin, we have to make a business case for it and we have not yet done that," Norman said. Despite no confirmations on that matter, CarAdvice has speculated that Renault might be eyeing Nissan’s mighty supercar, the GT-R, as a possible peg for the new Alpine. If this new piece of information proves to be correct, then you can expect the buzz surrounding the return of the Renault Alpine to hit fever pitch when it’s expected to be unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show this September. 2012 Nissan GT-R Alpha Omega by AMS Performance
We all know how impressive AMS’s GT-R Alpha package is. It has broken a couple of world records in its time, including a quarter mile sprint time of 8.97 seconds at an astonishing 169 miles an hour and a top speed record of 216.9mph. It’s definitely memorable, but absolutely conquerable. AMS Performance has decided to one-up themselves with their new Alpha Omega package for the GT-R. This package develops no less than 1,602 all-wheel horsepower with a maximum torque of 1,152 lb-ft out of the GT-R’s 3.8-liter, twin-turbo engine. By comparison, the previous GT-R Alpha 12 was developed a total of 1,318 horsepower and 1,014 lb/ft of torque. The new Alpha Omega package hasn’t even officially been announced, but it has already smashed the quarter mile world record: it managed an impressive 8.6263 seconds with an exit speed of 173.8mph. AMS promises that they won’t stop there either! Check out the videos attached to see just what this insane Nissan GT-R can do! UPDATE 04/06/2012: Apparently, 221 mph in a mile wasn’t good enough, so the AMS techs hopped back under the hood and cranked the boost to an insane 29.5 psi. This put the Nissan GT-R at an intense 1,250 wheel horsepower. After a mile the monster GT-R hits 233.1 and its driver Ivan seems ecstatic and starts fist pumping in the car. Obviously the GT-R didn’t like Ivan taking the credit, so after catching a dip in the runway, the rear of the GT-R lifts up and slings itself sideways, sending its pilot into a deadly 200+ mph slide. At that point we were thinking that a farewell story to this power GT-R was in order, but somehow Ivan manages to calmly keep this monster in check and keeps it from completely spinning out of control. | featured reviews:Nissan GT-R latest reviews:Nissan GT-R tuning:
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